Book Report: Secrets of Stylists

By Jen Smith
May 28, 2010

If you ever get the chance to sit in the front row at a fashion show, the best place to be is next to Sasha Charnin Morrison. Morrison will have you on the inside track in a matter of seconds—that is, after you get past eyeballing her show-stopper heels. Entertainment is in her blood—her father created Broadway smash “Annie”—so she's naturally a great storyteller. She also has an instinctive radar and can tell you where every celebrity is in the room as well as who they’re with and what they’re wearing, so it makes perfect sense that she's the current Fashion Director of Us Weekly.

Morrison herself has hit the stage and the screen—one of her first appearances was as “knocked up runaway hooker #1” in Pat Benatar’s “Love is a Battlefield” video. Her other passion is fashion, and she has made a name for herself working for magazines like Harper’s Bazaar (under legendary editor-in-chief Liz Tilberis), Mirabella, Seventeen, Vanity Fair, Elle and Allure. A glossy veteran, Morrison has just finished her first book, due out next year, Secrets of Stylists, which she says she has been writing since the first day of her first job (as an assistant).

Talent aside and impressive credentials aside, Morrison is also a down to earth wife, married to her high school sweetheart, and mother of seven year old twin boys. She can chat Pokemon with the best of them and knows where to find kids' skinny jeans. The Inside Source recently caught up with this wonder-woman in her office while she was editing a shopping bag of Victoria’s Secret push up bras (ahh, the life of a fashionista!). Here’s what she had to tell us.

The Inside Source: Tell us all about your new book.

Sasha Charnin Morrison: Secrets of Stylists will be published by Chronicle Books Spring 2011. It’s a book for aspiring fashion and celebrity stylists. All the insider scoop on who to call, how to make the call and how to get your foot in the door.

TIS: What are the three most important things women need in their closet to keep their wardrobes glamorous? No basics, please! We already know what those are!

SCM: I always dress from the feet up! LOL! It’s all about a great pair of shoes: pumps (Manolo’s, YSL, Jimmy Choo, Brian Atwood, Christian Louboutin); open or pointed toe, platform, something with at least a 4-inch heel. And yes, I’m thinking a nice, pricey pair. Invest money on a great pair of shoes!

I also have to have a great bag—YSL, Prada, Forever 21, Fendi, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Zara. Something nice and roomy in a rich color: beige, bone, brown, navy, black. There are so many styles out there: camera bags, modified hobos, top handle bags..

And I totally rely on a great trench or coat dress that I can even wear all day as a dress. Beige, navy, olive, khaki—something with gold buttons or just nice details.

TIS: Do you have a favorite accessory?

SCM: Anyone who knows me knows I am the biggest shoe whore on the planet. I have thousands of pairs of shoes. Mostly designer, because I simply can’t see it any other way. You have to remember that shoes say EVERYTHING about a person. You will be judged by them and yes, expect the laser stare down. To your toes. Voila.

TIS: I'm sure you've survived many unexpected glamour disasters. Can you tell us about any and how you managed the crisis?

SCM: Oh-embarrassing. I was leaving the chic Versace show in Milan on a red carpet that was covering broken ground below. (This is like 7 years ago now). Well, I went flying, wiped out, demolished on that carpet... hair, bag, body, new Prada shoes and bowling bag. It’s so awful because you can’t pretend its not you! So, I laughed. I laid there laughing. The guy I was traveling with, my friend Terry Tsiolis (now a famous fashion photographer), took pictures of me sprawled on the ground because he thought the whole spectacle was very “Helmut Newton.” I still can’t believe Terry didn’t even help me up!

Later in the week, the Versace PR representative presented me with a bandaid that read “VERSACE.”

TIS: Do you have a favorite Us magazine moment?

SCM: Oh-that’s all classified. And If I told you I would have to kill you. I love working on Who Wore It Best. I’m the girl who does that. That’s fun! It changes every week. And when the numbers come in—those are my favorite. We poll real people!

TIS: We heard you began a facebook fan club for your sons—I am sure they are the best-dressed kids in the biz. How did the club come about?

SCM: I started Facebook because I felt that I needed to be modern and current, as my twins would start social networking eventually online. So, I wanted to see the lay of the land. I would post pictures and videos of the boys, and I would get comments on their coolness….as well as questions: where did I find those black boys' blazers (H&M)? Silver hi-tops with orange laces (J. Crew/crewcuts)? My friend, Kenya Hunt from Metro UK, took a great shot I love of the guys outside the old Bryant Park tents. I decided to use that for their club where I could list looks, fave stores, upload new pictures. A place where the family and my friends could keep up with the kids.

TIS: You've worked with all the "greats" in the fashion business. Tell us about your most treasured highlight.

SCM: So many! My stepmother Jade Hobson brought me to Milan for my NYU Spring Break one year to work with her during the collections. I loved our time there. Another great is Paul Cavaco at Allure who is my mentor and former office husband. I treasured working at Seventeen Magazine because we made a difference to our readers, and I didn’t get it till I worked there—the impact a magazine can make on someone’s life and mind. I have to say, though, the ultimate highlight and most treasured was the five years I was fortunate enough to work with Liz Tilberis at Harper’s Bazaar. She passed away from ovarian cancer while she was still working. It was like nothing I had ever experienced because we all loved her. Liz loved fashion so much, and she loved her life at home. She balanced it all and she had incredible trust.
You were there for a reason. She inspired you want to come to work everyday.

[When she died,] the editors shot a tribute issue to her in two short weeks and everything we called-in was white. I kept a feather necklace that Ann Demeulemeester made for the shoot and evey time I see it I really just say, “Oh hi Liz!” I miss you, Liz.

** Image of Sasha Charnin Morrison by Patrick Demarchelier, provided by subject. **

Check out Sasha Charnin Morrison's finds on eBay:

Roll over items for details

Yves Saint Lauren YSL Gladiator Sandals By Tom Ford

"I will never forget this collection from Tom Ford for YSL. It was one of those moments that made you catch your breath. The clothing was amazing but THESE shoes were like omigod I have to have those NOW. Truth be told I own them in black velvet and rawhide but now I want them in BROWN leath-ah!!!!"

(winning bid, $80.99)

NEW Gucci Black Baboushka Hobo Bag Handbag Purse

"Babouska #2! This bag in black makes my heart skip a beat. I mean, hello? It's genius. At first I felt like it looked a little like Juicy Couture with these oversized heart keychain attachments and then I slapped myself and realized it wasn't Juicy at all (not that there's anything wrong with Juicy, do not get me wrong)!"

(buy it now price, $1,200)

NEW Tory Burch Vaughn Flat Gladiator Sandals Silver

"Tory Burch Vaughn Gladiators. I actually get the most compliments and wearing out of my Tory Burch gladiators summer after summer. I think what I love the most is the contrasting silver with the gold hard wear. I like it. It reflects and it's basically logo less-which works for me a bit better than with-and makes people stop and stare. Which, I being me, like."

(buy it now price, $189.99)

NEW Norma Kamali Convertible Multi-Style Gown

"Norma Kamali for EBay dresses. I got married in a couture Norma Kamali. I loved her most of my adult life. I've worn Norma starting back in 1980 until now. She dressed me on the happiest day of my life and now I think for my 20th wedding anniversary with my twins in tow and in Vegas, I think I may dial up Norma again for another unforgettable dress like this one. She's an excellent tailor, a brilliant designer and thinker and a great lady."

(buy it now price, $298)

NEW JCrew Fenton Fallon Chain Needle Necklace

"Fenton Fallon J Crew necklace. This company and the partnership with JCrew has made me as mad as a hatter. Most of these pieces arrived at select J Crew's and sold out. I love the way this looks with EVERYTHING. It picks up the light. It's such a charming piece!"

(starting bid, $0.99)

NEW Jean Paul Gaultier for Target Belted Trench Coat

"JPG for Target Trench. Missed out. Fell asleep at the keyboard. Sue me. Because this would be the 7th trench in my closet, but hey this is chic, timeless, classic and insanely fabulous. What's NOT to love?"

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NEW Diana Ross Barbie by Bob Mackie Limited Edition

"Diana Ross Barbie Doll By Bob Mackie. Well, I just didn't know. I did not know that Cher had serious competition. I am a serious pop star doll collector in the box. Look at her! The hair, the dress, the BOSS! Miss Ross may need to be had just for the enjoyment of saying that I own a Diana Ross doll and you don't."

(buy it now price, $79.95)